[Helped2018]

Hi, please excuse my grammar, typed from my phone.


I lost my job and insurance 2 years ago. I havent been able to work yet ive been denied medicare etc. Ive always been a great worker and have worked from 16 to 33.

Mentally and physically i feel i currently can&apos;t work right now without meds. I have been in bed and on sofa for much of 2 years. I have never really seeked govt help but without insurance i have choice. The problem I've run into...ive been to 4 different places (pay scale mental health) not 1 place will give adderal. My dr had me on 30mg twice a day. My best friend said it took about 6 months to get over withdrawals im over 2 years and getting worse with fatigue, anxiety, depression, paranoia, add, etc.... <br>
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If i don&apos;t have $5 in my pocket, no health insurance do i have any options for getting the 4 powerful meds my doctor prescribed me? 3 of the meds your not supposed to stop cold turkey... Im assuming thats why my body has went hay wire in the past year... local places told me they dont give adderral to adults because of addiction......only 1 place would give klonopin....my dr had me on 90 2mg they would only do 30 .5mg....minimal but better than nothing but $25 to visit then med was like $8 so without income that ended after 3 months. I have tried the meds they would give....1 gave me the worst attitude Ive ever saw from myself, 1 made me swole, a few made me drowsy for days, etc.... what do i do?

I'm in Canada and have no problem with access to psychiatric meds. I take vyvanse (like adderal) and klonopin as well. Never had a problem. I feel really frustrated for you. Is there anyway your doctor can advocate on your behalf to these places?

[Helped2018]

Thanks for the response. My dr. had recommended cobra insurance and affordable care....my med with cobra would have been over $400 a month and ACA would be tough with no job, high co pays and med cost.

My dr was very nice but once i had no insurance it seems like things changed or maybe it was me mentally feeling like my calls were irritating the receptionist.

All this happened 2 years ago. I've been in bed doing nothing for months. I dont have the energy or motivation to do anything. If i can help it i wont go outside in the daytime and i hope for cloudy weather?

All my life i thought they had all these programs but my 2 yr experience has been very exhausting.

I'm sorry. That seems like a lot to deal with. I go through severe rounds of depression so I understand what it's like to have motivation. This is a great site to come in and chat and get those feelings out. Hugs.

[seesaw]

Helped2018,

I totally understand your predicament. I lost my insurance 6 months ago due to job loss and just had no funds to go into the marketplace to get insurance myself. Fortunately I qualify for medicare and back on SSDI so I can afford a rather measely plan but it's something.

With such little income, is there no way you can qualify for Medicaid assistance through the state of Georgia and/or SNAP program (food stamps)? Also, if you have no income, there must be some free services through a social service agency that can help you because you need your meds to function.

I was fortunate in that my meds were causing more harm than good and titrating off of them was a positive thing for me. Now that they are completely out of my system, I am actually making progress again. But everyone reacts differently to medications and some people find they really do help, and it seems like that is the case with you.

Here is the online portal for Medicaid in Georgia: https://dch.georgia.gov/applying-medicaid. With your mental health disorders, you may qualify as disabled, especially if you have been unable to work in the past two years because of the disorders.

If you have trouble filling out these applications, call and ask for assistance, explain that you have a mental illness and need help understanding and filling out the forms. They should be able to help you.

Also, here are some resources in your area that may be able to help you with low or no cost treatment.
Resources for Mental Illness - Crisis Intervention - NAMI Northside Atlanta | Nami Northside Atlanta
https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/adult-mental-health

I hope this information is useful.

Seesaw

You need to get to a (what I think Georgia calls them) “crisis center.” Usually county-run, they can offer immediate relief as well as access to counseling that can really help you with any sort of assistance that you might be eligible for.

Just pick up the phone, dial 911 and ask to be connected to a crisis center. They can send an ambulance to pick you up.

How have you been subsisting during the past two years? COBRA is (I think?) usually only available up to 12 months after leaving employment and, yes, it can be very, very expensive. A good counselor can connect you with all manner of programs for help - including beginning the process of applying for disability, if you’re eligible, and certainly availability to medical and mental health care.

Adderall is one weird medication. I knew a man who said that he was imprisoned for two years for having eight capsules/tablets. It’s a CNS stimulant - a strong amphetamine (may be controlled substance?) and I understand why you would have trouble getting it if you’re not actively being monitored.

Your situation sounds bad and I would really like to help. I have some mental health contacts in Atlanta and I’ll get some numbers and send you a PM (private message) with the numbers.

Be well.